Southern California Club Xterra
Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursions => Topic started by: FrankB on February 13, 2012, 11:03:32 AM
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Edited to add details:
Blair Valley Loop, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, with hiking to Ghost Mountain (Marshal South home site), Morteros and Pictograph Hiking Trails.
This is a mild one, with probably more time out of the trucks hiking than driving. Blair Valley Loop is an easy 14 miles or so of mostly sandy trail, with 3 nice hikes along the way. We've done this one a few times in the past, there are picture threads in case you're wondering what it looks like.
Meet Time / Spot: Saturday March 3, 2012 - 10:00 AM at Blair Valley Primitive Camp, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego County.
Approx. 5.5 miles south of Scissors Crossing (the spot where County Road S-2 crosses SR 78) on County Road S-2, look for the campground and vault toilet building on the left, just before mile post 23. The campground, and even most of the trails we'll be on, are clearly marked on the Auto Club San Diego Region paper map, on all Anza Borrego Desert State Park paper maps, and on pretty much all other paper maps of the area.
This route should be stock and even 2WD friendly the entire way, but I have not been out there since Fall 2011 to confirm.
We'll start out driving the long way around through Blair Valley to the trailhead for Yaquitepec, the site of Marshal South's family home on the top of Ghost Mountain. The hiking trail is a steep 1-mile each way, with a significant elevation gain on the way up. Wear sturdy shoes. At the top are the remains of the adobe home and South's elaborate water system. The views from the home site on the summit of Ghost Mountain are spectacular.
You can read about Marshal South here: http://marshalsouth.com/index.asp (http://marshalsouth.com/index.asp)
After lunch somewhere in the valley (we know a good spot that we've used in the past) we'll drive to the trail head for the Pictograph Hiking Trail, an easy 1-mile each way trail that leads to a large boulder covered with Indian pictographs. This area sits at a much higher elevation than other parts of Anza Borrego so the vegetation is completely different, and much more abundant. From the rock it's another 1/2 mile or so out to an amazing overlook view of the Carrizo Badlands. On the way back out to the highway, if time permits, we can also do the easy half mile or so hike to the Morteros, the site of an old Indian village.
Optional Camping Saturday Night: I don't plan to camp, but there are several options for camping on Saturday (or Friday) if anyone is interested. There is a State Park Primitive Camp at Blair Valley, with vault toilets. You can also camp in other parts of the valley, there are marked and unmarked spots in both Blair Valley and Little Blair Valley. Across S-2 and south a bit is the entrance to Chariot and Rodriquez Canyons, there are a few nice camp spots in there as well. Let me know if you want some specific suggestions or ideas. Keep in mind that ground fires are not allowed in the State Park, you will need a metal fire container.
Reference:
Wells Guide to So Cal Backroads & 4WD Trails, number 53, page 191.
Comm:
FRS Channel 3, sub-code 24
CB Channel 24 (let me know in advance, as I may not turn on the CB otherwise).
Let me know if you're interested. Also, anyone coming from the San Diego area is welcome to caravan out with me. Check with me for details of where to meet. I'll be leaving the area of the intersection of Scripps Poway Parkway and Pomerado Road at 8:00AM.
Please post any comments, suggestions or questions.
Also - Please be sure to let me know you're coming so we don't wind up waiting too long at the meet spot.
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AWWW MAN!!!!!
I am already hiking that weekend in Sycamore Canyon up by Point Mugu.....
<shakes fist at sky>
DANNNNNNGGGGGIIIIITTTTTTTT!!!!!!!
Next time =/
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Thanks Frank, I was planning on playing spectator at Tierra Del Sol ( http://www.tds4x4.com/2011/04/desert-safari-2011-is-here/ ) that Saturday, but I'll be up for camping that evening and doing something on Sunday...
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I am very interested!! ;D
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Count me in! :)
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I can't make it but wanted to put it out there that I would be interested in something like this in the future.
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I have to double check my schedule but you. An put me down as a probably!!
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Marshal South? So this run is clothing optional?
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Marshal South? So this run is clothing optional?
Correct.
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Correct.
woohoo? ???
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How many rigs so far frank? Put me down as a maybe, have to check my schedule but hopefully everything works out. Saw some of the pics from previous Anza Borrego trips, looks pretty fun.
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How many rigs so far frank? Put me down as a maybe, have to check my schedule but hopefully everything works out. Saw some of the pics from previous Anza Borrego trips, looks pretty fun.
It looks like 1 for sure and 3 "maybe", plus me. But then, one of the "maybe" seemed a bit too excited about the idea of clothing optional (which, by the way, would only be for the actual visit to the remains of Marshal South's home).
I'll put up details soon.
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you can mark me down as a yes!
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Frank, you can mark me down as a Yes also. I'm still thinking about even camping out and coming home on Sunday. I think that will be more relaxing than trying to beat feet out there on Friday just to camp in the dark...
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There's a good chance I can make this run. I will confirm with you Frank.
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Hey FrankB,
I'm not from the San Diego area but would like to caravan! Let me know the details.
Thanks!
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There's a good chance I can make this run. I will confirm with you Frank.
It would be great to see you Fred. Bring Sherrie too.
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Hey FrankB,
I'm not from the San Diego area but would like to caravan! Let me know the details.
Thanks!
David - sent you a PM in response to yours.
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Frank,
I got it....very excited about my 1st outing!
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hey Frank...are there any of the SCCX stickers left? I'd like one for next week.
thanks
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hey Frank...are there any of the SCCX stickers left? I'd like one for next week.
thanks
Yes, we do have stickers. I'll bring some with me. $9.
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Looks like I wont be able to make it, a close friend of mines grandmother passed away recently and the funeral is Saturday. Have fun out there guys, see ya on the next run.
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Looks like we are set to go!
@Frank: Can you please advise on any suitable camping spots in the area? I will be camping with newbies so any available amenities will be good. If you can please provide some info on location, fees, campfire issues, hiking trails, etc., we would really appreciate it.
Thanks and really looking forward to it!
XterracerX
(+2 vehicles)
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I'm ready for some driving and hiking! :) I'll be leaving from the Riverside/Moreno Valley area if anyone wants to caravan.
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. . . . @Frank: Can you please advise on any suitable camping spots in the area? I will be camping with newbies so any available amenities will be good. If you can please provide some info on location, fees, campfire issues, hiking trails, etc., we would really appreciate it. . . .
Fred, there are marked spots at Blair Valley Primitive Camp, along with the vault toilets. No other facilities there. There are also lots of open spots in Blair Valley. In Anza Borrego you can camp anywhere off the road. Fires must be in a metal container, no ground fires allowed. Blair Valley sits at about 2,500' elevation (in some spots higher) so it will be cooler than other parts of the Park. There is a campground with full facilities at Tamarisk Grove (Hwy 78 at Yaqui Pass Road), but I believe that it might be closed due to State budget cuts (never mind that it probably made money). Best to call the Park and ask about that one. You could also head south on S-2 for about 25 miles to the area around Carrizo Creek and Canyon sin Nombre. That is much lower elevation there, should be warmer. Further south on S-2 and there is BLM land on the right where you can have a ground fire.
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I would like to know if i can still ride saturday I do not have sliders or removed rear sway yet. I wil be out of town until the night before the ride. If I can make it without those two things I would love to ride. If anyone can let me know . Thanks
Ryan
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I would like to know if i can still ride saturday I do not have sliders or removed rear sway yet. I wil be out of town until the night before the ride. If I can make it without those two things I would love to ride. If anyone can let me know . Thanks
Ryan
Hi Ryan. I would be very surprised if we even need 4WD out there on Saturday (although not as surprised as the 2WD folks would be). In any event, the trails in Blair Valley have in the past always been passable in a high-clearance 2WD stock vehicle. It's not uncommon to see low sedans out at the parking area for the Pictographs, but we will be taking a less direct route to that spot than they would have. Unless something dramatic has happened since last Fall I can't think of anyplace where you would need sliders, and having rear sway bar in place is not an issue at all. You should be fine as is.
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I would like to know if i can still ride saturday I do not have sliders or removed rear sway yet. I wil be out of town until the night before the ride. If I can make it without those two things I would love to ride. If anyone can let me know . Thanks
Ryan
You will be fine, as Frank stated this is 99% fire road access, maybe some erosion ruts from recent rains. Hope you can make it. :)
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Frank , I will be there . Can you bring another sticker saw the message above I'll bring the 9$
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Frank , I will be there . Can you bring another sticker saw the message above I'll bring the 9$
See you there.
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I will not be there. You guys have fun.
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We had a great time today - perfect weather for some hiking (and a bit of driving) in the desert. Thanks for coming everyone. It was nice to meet a bunch of new people, and see some old friends as well.
I'll start up a picture thread. Please post your shots.
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here's the link to the photo thread http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php/topic,1192.0.html (http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php/topic,1192.0.html)
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I made the mistake of coming from a different direction without thinking it through: I went from SR79 to the S2 to get to SR78, but went south, not remembering I should have continued straight on the S2: by the time I found the right path, it was well past the meet time. If you had been waiting for me any bit, I apologize.
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For those of you who attended yesterday, I humbly submit this video to help you understand the "true" capabilities of your 2WD's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHvXi_HejnI
:D :D :D
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haha..wonder if he aired down?
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Any chance of another run in the near future?
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Any chance of another run in the near future?
Yes.
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Yes.
Cool.